Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole fears being frozen out of Fabio Capello's England plans.

The Daily Mail says Cole fears he has become one of Fabio Capello's 'ghosts' as he tries to impress the England manager ahead of tonight's crucial game against Algeria in Cape Town.

The former Chelsea midfielder - released by the Barclays Premier League champions just before the World Cup started - is sweating on a place in Capello's line up at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town tonight but privately fears he has only a small chance of being included.

But Capello himself is understood to rate Cole highly and feels that he is among the more technically proficient members of his squad.

Indeed, it may help the former West Ham player's case that Capello said this week he is considering picking players who deliver their passes along the ground, as he looks to counter the unpredictable nature of the controversial adidas ball.